MADRID, 30 Dic. (EUROPA PRESS) –
Dreamland Gran Canaria qualified mathematically for the Copa del Rey after beating Río Breogán (86-60) this Saturday on matchday 16 of the Endesa League, while Baskonia got closer to its ticket by beating (85-93) the Girona Basketball.
The Las Palmas team did not leave their homework for the last day of the first round and became the sixth passenger in the Cup that will be held in Malaga from February 15 to 18. The first and third quarters marked the yellow victory, the tenth of the season, with Ethan Happ as the most valued player (22).
AJ Slaughter and John Shurna also added for a 'Granca' that became strong in defense after the break (23-9), against a 'Breo' that fell to the relegation zone, penultimate from the bottom. Meanwhile, Baskonia, tied at nine wins with BAXI Manresa, will play against Real Madrid after Reyes is in Malaga: two tickets at stake for four candidates on matchday 17.
Dusko Ivanovic's men won in Girona with a powerful Chima Moneke (23 points and 31 PIR) and despite not having the best version of Markus Howard. Vanja Marinkovic, Tadas Sedekerskis and Codi Miller-McIntyre were the ones who helped save the furniture, in the midst of a bad streak with four recent defeats.
In addition, Zunder Palencia closed 2023 with its second victory in ACB. The Palencia team, which is still at the bottom, won (78-72) against a Surne Bilbao Basket that looked for its rival's doubts in the final minutes. Pasecniks (26 rating) and Benite (20 points) were decisive in the joy of Luis Guil's team.